Get your winning wagers down!

Saturday, June 19, 2010

England stinks it up, again; U.S. totally robbed

It was mentioned some time ago that if you were looking for a team to support that played the game right, look no further than the U.S. They continue to prove me right on that one yesterday when they put forth a spirited effort to dig out of a 2-0 hole to draw level with Slovenia in the dying minutes. They actually scored a third but it was inexplicably called back in one of the worst screw-jobs you'll see in the game. As a result, and in a historic first, FIFA referee Koman Coulibaly awarded Man of the Match for defensive efforts for the Slovenia squad. Coulibaly is no stranger to controversy after putting the screws to Tunisia in the 2010 African Nations Cup, and in 2006 to Egypt. How exactly does this guy get a World Cup assignment? The early game of the day saw Serbia shock Germany with a 1-0 upset in which the Germans played most of the game a man down after another garbage referee was handing out cards like he would be bonused for doing so, and saw German striker Miroslav Klose sent off on a weak call. And as for England, they'd do well to watch the U.S. themselves. They might learn a thing or two about heart and playing with desperation. England drew Algeria 0-0 and didn't deserve a lick better. Fabio Capello is going the route of the managers that preceded him and playing the name players, and not putting on the best team. How else would he continue to play a useless Frank Lampard, who is dragging down the entire team by then changing how Steven Gerrard is deployed?

The Ultimate Fighter finale goes tonight at 9pm on SportsNet with Kris McCray facing Court McGee in the main event. I've got McGee to win there. This piece looks at the rough road that is making it to and staying in the UFC. Full card here. Hoping Rich Antonito caves in Jamie Yager's face in the undercard.

If you're wondering, if 1 or more teams are tied after Group Stage of the World Cup, the first tiebreaker is goal difference in group games. Second is most goals scored in group matches.

Oh yea, the word out of the French media is that the likes of Anelka and Gallas have been bullying Gourcouff which has lead to the entire squad ignoring him. This pretty much why Gourcouff has looked like a completely different player the last two matches.

Anelka has been sent back home after his feud with coach Domenech and you have to wonder if further actions will be taken by the French football federation, during or after the World Cup.